If your elderly loved one is coming home after having been in the hospital, in a rehabilitation facility, or a skilled nursing facility (SNF), it’s important to ensure that they have a safe transition.
This is a crucial time for your loved one. The transition from hospital to home determines how quickly and well they recover, and it can also prevent complications that could require a trip to the emergency department or another hospital stay.
As a family caregiver, you’ll need to monitor your loved one’s health and provide support at home to help them ease back into daily life and recover safely. Below, we share tips for transitional care that can guide you as you care for your loved one after a hospital stay.
Transitional Care Tips to Help Your Loved One
After a senior family member has returned home from the hospital, it’s good to have a plan in place for their care. This can include everything from directives within a hospital discharge plan to coordinating in-home care services.
Follow Discharge Plans
Even if your senior loved one is anxious to get back home after being in the hospital, take the time to listen carefully to the discharge plan provided by the doctor, nurse, or case manager.
The discharge plan will be a written (or digital) review of what occurred while your loved one was in the medical facility, along with instructions for continuing to recover safely at home. This typically includes:
- Description of procedure or treatment provided
- Side effects or potential complications to watch for
- Medication(s) your loved one was prescribed
- What medications should be continued, stopped, or added, along with any dosing changes
- Instructions for ongoing care during recovery at home
- Explanations or demonstrations of any devices, such as blood pressure monitor, crutches, rollator, or other assistive aids
- Activity restrictions or recommended activities to regain strength
- Dietary restrictions and recommendations
- Schedule for follow-up appointments
Be sure to take notes and ask questions if you’re unsure of any details within the care plan. The more you understand and can follow the discharge plan, the better your loved one will recover at home and reduce the chances of being.
Create a Safe Home Environment
Before your elderly family member returns home after being in the hospital, make sure their home is safe and comfortable for their recovery. Consider addressing the following for at-home safety:
- Reduce the possibility of slipping when entering their home, especially during the winter when there’s snow and ice on driveways, sidewalks, and patios
- Check for tripping hazards and remove loose rugs to avoid falls
- Clear paths and stairs and add night lights to make maneuvering easier
- Install safety bars in showers or near the toilet, if needed
- Stock up on bandages, medical tape, cold packs, over-the-counter (OTC) medications, and other items outlined in the discharge plan
- Purchase or rent home care equipment, such as a wheelchair, walker, adjustable bed, temporary ramp, or other mobility support objects
- Stop by the pharmacy to pick up any needed medications, wound treatment materials, and other essential care supplies
- Place personal items (e.g., phone, glasses, hearing aids) within easy reach of the bed, chair, or sofa
You can take many of these steps ahead of your loved one’s return home, while others may not come to your attention until you review the discharge plan with your loved one and their care provider(s).
Set Up In-Home Care Services
Depending on your loved one’s procedure, treatment, or medical condition, you may need additional medical or non-medical support at home to help your family member recover safely.
This may include setting up in-home care services like:
- Personal care for activities of daily living (ADLs), such as help with bathing, grooming, toileting, or eating
- Skilled nursing care , such as infusion therapy, feeding tube placement, wound care, or other medical care assistance
- Short-term transitional care to facilitate a smooth recovery, including medication management and follow-up appointment coordination
- Physical, occupational, or speech therapy for mobility improvement, muscle strengthening, and more
In-home care services can be set up directly with a private-duty caregiver or through a home care agency that will take care of all of the steps for you. Be sure to check with your insurance company to find out which services and providers are covered. Some government-funded programs may also provide select services to income-eligible individuals.
Promote Your Loved One’s Recovery
In addition to at-home care provided by professional caregivers and skilled nurses, remember that you, as the family caregiver, play an important role in your loved one’s recovery after surgery or a hospital visit.
Here are some ways you can support your family member’s return to health:
- If possible, stay with them so you can keep a close eye on their condition; otherwise, check in on them frequently to ensure they’re following discharge plan instructions
- Make sure they’re hydrated, eating nutritious foods, and getting plenty of rest
- Encourage them to complete any they’ve been prescribed, such as gentle mobility exercises or bed stretches
- Assist with medication management by organizing pills and double-checking that they’re taking medications as prescribed
- Schedule and transport them to follow-up appointments with doctors and other healthcare providers
Find the Right At-Home Help with BrightStar Care®
Bringing a loved one home from the hospital can seem overwhelming, but having the right support can make the transition smoother.
The skilled nurses and compassionate caregivers at BrightStar Care® have extensive experience in helping families with their in-home care needs—whether that’s for short-term transitional needs, ongoing care for an aging relative, or other care requirements.
If you’re looking for nurse-led in-home services or a reliable medical staffing partner for your organization, our experienced local care team members are ready to help. Find a location near you, contact us online, or call (833) 806-4765 to learn more about how BrightStar Care offers A Higher Standard®.